Electrical flashlight



Sept 9, 1941- EL J; McEAcHRoN Erm.- 2,255,516

Filed Aug. 12, 1939-' milmllet [mezzZorg:

7 Eajgczf. 12M 55226/27072,

Kdgaraf cfacmzg ATTORNEYS.

`iatented Sept. i9@

. anais oramai. raasonr cousin Application August l2, 1939, S No. 239,732

lll Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in electrical ashlights and is characterized as comprising a simple and inexpensive construction which combines into one unitary construction the neoessary elements constituting a battery for generating current and the elements constituting the ashlight, such as the reflector and a soclizet` for holding the lamp or bulb in association with the cell elements. This invention is further characterized as having all of its component elements housed within a single casing, a portion oi tion all the necessary features of the battery and ashlight as one unitary device, whereby in use, when the battery is exhausted, the bulb may be removed and the battery and reector parts discarded and replaced by a new assembly into which the bulb is screwed to provide a complete and renewed ashlight construction.

'This invention-is an improvement upon the construction of electrical ashlights disclosed -in the copending application Serial No. 250,282, filed on January 11, 1939, for the'invention of Alois J. Koshollek and Walter H. Thom. The flashlight of this invention embodies in part the improvements constituting the invention of said capending application but diiers therefrom in that it provides for a battery of two or more cells which may be connected in series so as' to increase the voltage of the current supply and the brightness of the lamp employed for the ashlight. Y

These and other objects not specifically en merateci are contemplated for this invention, as will readily appear-to one skilled in the art as constructed in accordance with this invention.

Figure 2 is an enlarged. cross sectional view,

taken onthe line 2-2' of Figure 1, and looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary elevational view.

lit

(Ui. Mum-idw) partly in cross section, showing a modified construction.

' Figure a is a still further modiication of this invention.

Figure 5 is an enlarged elevational View of the switch mechanism used on the flashlight disclosed in Figures l. and 2, as seen from the inside.

Figure 6 is a cross sectional detail View taken on the line @-6 of Figure 5 and looking in the direction of the arrows; and l Figures 7 and 8 are fragmentary cross section- 'al views showing still further modifications of this invention.

By referring to the drawing, it will be noted that the particular embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figures l andV 2, comprises a zinc or similar cam i, which is preferably of cylindrical shape and of the type usually employed in the manufacture of '35o-'called dry cells. This can serves as the outer electrode of the bottom cell of the battery as Well as providing a casing Y or receptacle in which the other cell or cells are contained. These zinc cans have sumcient mechanical strength to serve as a satisfactory container for the other cell or cells as well as `the parts constituting the ilashlight. As illustrated in Figure 2, this can is of greater height than that required for housing the bottom cell parts, and, accordingly, the'upper portion is adapted to serve as a housing for one or more additional cells and parts for completing the flashlight and mounting such parts in association with the battery elements.

Mounted 'within the base of the cam is the usual type of compressed core 3, including an embedded carbon pencil 4, preferably made up in the usual way in cylindrical vform composed of the usual constituents for depolarizing mixtures. This core may be unwrapped or may be enclosed in a suitable wrapping of paper or cloth 5, which in this instance is illustrated as perforated paper held in position by means of an elastic band 6. The core rests upon an insulating disc of waxed cardboard or other suitable material 1, positioned in the bottom of the can, which serves as a'spacer between the bottom of the can and the bottom of the core. The core is oi' less diameter than the internal diameter of with a ysuitable electrolyte 20 which preferably extendsto the height of the top of the core.

As illustrated in Figure 2, the carbon pencil d I preferably extends upwardly to an appreciable extent above the top of the core and is held centrally of the can I by means of an insulating spacing washer4 8 which engages the pencil adjacent the upper end thereof and also engages at its outer edge with the inside wall of the can.

The upper edge of the carbon pencil is preferably y provided with a brass or other suitable metal cap 2| pressed thereon in the usual way. The cell is then preferably closed in accordance with the conventional practice by any suitable means, such as the sealing compound 9, which is poured when in a iiuid state ontop of the insulating washer 8 to the desired depth and allowed to harden and solidify around the upper end of the penciL'but so as to leave the upper surfacev of the brass or other metal cap 2| exposed.

It is to be noted that the construction thus far described, except for the extension of the can, is substantially the same as conventional cell constructions of the type which are now used in flashlights and which, in use, are inserted into a suitable ashlight casing to supply the electrical current required to light the bulb. However, by

wardly` to an appreciable extent above the top A of the sealing material 9 of the bottom cell soas to provide a space for housing a second cell. This second cell comprises a zinc or similar can I0| which is of vusual construction but is ofslightly less diameter than the internal diameter of the zinc can I. This can is mounted within the zinc can I and spaced therefrom-by means of an annular insulating liner |25 which prevents accidental electrical 'contact between the two zinc cans. The inner can IOI is sov positioned in the outer can I, however, that the bottom thereof rests upon and forms electrical contact' with the metal cap 2| on the top of the carbon pencil 4 of the lower cell. Within the can III is the usual type of compressed core |03, including an embedded carbon pencil |04, preferably made up in the usual way in cylindrical form composed of the usual constituents for depolarizing mixtures. Like the core oi' the lower cell, this core may be unwrapped or may be enclosed in a suitable wrapping of paper or cloth |05 which, in this instance, is illustrated as perforated paper heid in position by means of an elastic band |05. The core rests upon an insulating disc |01 of waxed cardboard or other suitable material which is positioned in the bottom of the can and'which serves as a spacer between the bottom of the can andthe core. 'I'he core |03 is of less diameter than the internal diameter of its associated can |0I, whereby an annular space is provided between the walls ofl the can and the core when the core is properly centered. This space is lled with a suitable electrolyte |20which preferably extends to the height of the top 0f the core. An insulating disc I |08 is provided in the upper end of the can IlI to serve as a spacer between the 4carbon pencil |04 and the sides of the can, and a suitable sealing compound |09 is applied on top of the Y insulating disc to close the upper cell in the usual manner. The upper. end of the carbon pencil |04 is equipped with an exposed metal cap |2| which is preferably pressed thereon to serve as one of the electrodes of the upper cell.

As further shown lin Figure 2, the upper edge of the can I is preferably providedwith an annular strip of insulating material I2 which over lies and protects the upper edge of the zinc can I, and on top of this insulating material there is crimped the outer edge of a reflector member II. The reflector may be made of metal or other suitable material and has a reflecting in- .ner surface provided by a smooth or polished surface thereon. Such a finish may be produced by using a bright, smooth metal, or by any other means which is relatively simple and inexpensive to obtain. 'I'he bottom of the reflector terminates in a cylindrical sleeve 22 which is impressed with suitable threads adapted to receive, in substantially the manner shown in Figure`2, an electric light bulb I0.

From the above description, it will be apparent that the reiiector I I is insulated, by means of the insulator I2, from the zinc can I and, therefore, no electrical connection is ordinarily possible between the outer electrode or can I and the threaded cylindrical -shell of the lamp base.

For the purpose of completing the electrical circuit for lighting the lamp, a switch is provided in the upper portion of the can which may be of any suitable construction and whichrrmay consist simply of a depressible tongue struck from the side of the can as shown in said copending application. As here illustrated, however, it comprises a metallic contact member 30 having a contact finger 3| at its upper Vend bent slightly inwardly to bring it to a positionv to readily contact theunder surface of the reflec- This metallic contact member is placed in engagement with the zinc can I whereby when it is in lifted position, so that the nger 0I engages the reflector II, the electrical circuit is completed and the filament of the lamp is thereby caused to become incandescent. The switch member 30 is'adapted to be moved up and down by the actuating member 32, which may be of non-metallic or metallic material and suitably shaped for engagement by the thumb or nger of the operator. This actuating member is preferably equipped with shoes 33 which adapt it for sliding engagement with the outside surface of the can I and with inwardly extending fingers 34 which extend through slots 35 provided in the walls of the can. These slots are of greater height than the fingers, whereby the actuator .and the switch member are permitted to have a slight longitudinal movement so as to move the contact finger 3| into and out of engages ,ment with the reflector II. As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the fingers 34 extend inwardly and are bent over the switch member 30 so as to hold it in intimate engagement with the inn'er surface of the zinc can I.

As shown in Figure 2, a slight depression 3i is preferably provided in the wall of the can adjacent the switch member 30 so a-s to be received in the opening 31 or the semi-circular recess 30, as the case may be, for locking the switch, respectively, in the off and on positions. The fingers 34 may be made of metal which will have some resilience, whereby the switch means may be snugly held in position against accidental movement but at the same time be free to slide assente when forced by theoperator into the on and oi positions. By means of the switch member, a direct electrical connection will be made between the zinc can I and the reflector, which, in turn. is connected with the outer cylindrical shell oi thev lamp base by means of the screw-threaded engagement therewith. When this occurs, the lamp will become lighted because the current is permitted to flow through the'fllament by virtue of-the -iact that the base connector 23 of the lamp is at all times maintained in mechanical and electrical contact with the cap member` I2! of the carbon pencil |04. It will thus be seen vthat a complete ashlight is provided by merely adding the yupper extension on the can of the lower cell and adding one or more cells connected in sexies and the socketed reector, plus, of course,

, a flashlight lamp which is held in proper asso- In the form oi the invention shown in Figure d, the construction is the same as that shownin Figure 2, with the exception, however, that a small coil spring or like contact member tt may 4be placed between the upper end 2i of the carl bon pencil E. and the bottom of` the container for the upper cell IBI. at all times a good electrical connection between these parts and at' the. same time serves mechanically to adjust the positionl of the upper cell'between the contact 23 of the lamp bulb and the lower cell so that slight inaccuracies in the height of the outer container i or the height of of manufacturing this ashlight construction i (without the bulb) compares so favorably with the cost of manufacturing merely the battery alone that it is possible to make this novel flashlight construction, minus the bulb, for a; cost exceeding the cost of the battery alone only by a small amount. Thus, instead of using separate cells or batteries, which are discarded when exhausted, in connection with a flashlight casingwhich is an expensive item initseliffthis invention contemplates the combining of flashlight mechanism within the construction of the battery and discarding the entire unit except the bulb and replacing the same after the original battery has been exhausted. r

If desired, aninsulating material (not shown) may be applied to the outside surface of the can to'cover and protect the same. may extend all the way to the bottom of the can I so as to provide a'ilnished surface of desired characteristics and appearance. It will be found in practice that a cellulosic product in the -form of a cellulose film, which can be applied wet and`- allowed to shrink into place, serveswell as a tough. flexible covering for thevcasing. This gives a very new andnished outer surface appearance.' be purchased' on name Cel-O-Seal. Furthermore, type of material is employed. it may be allowed to extend upwardly a suilicient distance beyond the upper edge of the can so that it maybe the market under the trade- 4turned inwardly and, when dried, it will be sufneiently exible to serve as an insulation materlal between the reflector and the upper edge of the can. In other words, the exible lcover- 'I'his covering.

This cellulose nlm product can now,

when this the lmlilting material lmaterial can be applied in various colors and the carbon pencils will not 'interfere with the easy assembly of the lights with good electrical contacts at all times. By this construction, an inspection operation during manufacture, which mayy otherwise be required, may be eliminated altogether.

In the modified form of the invention illustrated in Figure 3, it is contemplated that the reector il shall be removable from the upper edge of the can i and re-used with the bulb it; so, instead of removing the bulb from the rem ilector and cell construction. the bulb and reflector are removed from the upper edge of the can. Any suitable means for removably attaching the reflector and its bulb may be utilized, but in the particular form here illustrated, the upper edge of the can -is provided with one or more outm wardly extending lugs 4t spaced peripherally around the circumference thereof. These lugs are adapted to be engaged with L-shaped receiving grooves 4I, which, in cooperation with the lugs 40, in eiect form a bayonet connection for holding the reector in fixed position on top of the extension of the can. v

As shown in Figure 3, suitable insulating ma= terial 42 is positioned between the upper edge of the can I and the overturned edge of the reector so that the reflector is insulated from the upper edge of the can and has no electrical connection therewith except through the manually operable switch member. This insulating material 42 may be in the form of sheet material or material applied as paint or otherwise, as may be convenient inmanufacturing practice. The L-shaped grooves may be formed by merely de-= pressing outwardly the metal of the overhanging -ange of the reflector so that by placing the reflector on the edge of the can with the vertical portion of the grooves fitting over the lugs 40 and then turning the reflector circumferentially with respect to the can. the reilector thereby becomes removably locked onto the upper end of the lcan by virtue of the fact that the lugs 40 occupy the ends of the horizontal portions oi' the groove. The insulating material may be formed into the innerside o! the groove, as shown in Figure 3, so that notwithstanding the removable conneotion ailorded by the lugs and grooves, good insulation is at all times maintained.

This construction assures the side of the can in' substantially the manner illustrated in Figure 2 is adapted for this purpose and will serve to contact the metallic mem- Viler 52 which is in Contact with the shank 0f 'the lens could be used if desired. Such a glass or lens could be snapped over the upper edge of the can and removed and added to thereplacement construction with the bulb. It has been found, however, that the reflector gives very good results without the use of a glass or lens and that, accordingly, very satisfactory flashlights may be provided bythe construction illustrated in the drawing.

It is to be understood that the ilashlights contemplated by this invention are not to be limited in sizeas it isintended to apply the principles of this invention to all convenient and commercial sizes of battery cellsl which are 'now or may hereafter be made.

It is further contemplated that any desi form of dry cell construction may be employed, and the invention is not to be restricted to the particular forms here illustrated. For instance, cells of the commonly known paper lined construction could bey employed, if desired, as well as any other suitable cell construction.

It will be noted from the foregoing that the iiashlight of this invention provides a very simond cell in said space,- and a reector and lamp holder mounted in association with the top of said can above said second cell, saidsecnd cell having its can in electrical contact with the carbon pencil of said iirst cell and means insulating the can of said second cell from the can of said rst cell. g

2. An electric light comprising a cell having a can serving as one electrode thereof, a carbon pencil, a depolarizing mixture and an electrolyte located in said can, means closing said cell disposed below the top edge of said can and proj viding a space above said closing means, a second cell mounted in said space having its electrode of opposite polarity in electrical contact with said carbon pencil and means for insulating said second cell from said can, a reiiector and lamp holder mounted in association with the top of said can and above said second cell, means ple construction by virtue of the fact that the casing for the flashlight and battery is provided by a continuation of the zinc can of the bottom cell of thebattery. It will be further noted that the upper cell or cells of the battery will be of slightly less diameter and, in order to maintain the samecapacity as the bottom cell as now generally employed, the upper cell may be slightly increased inheight so as to provide substantially the same volume.

It is to be understood that this invention is not limited to the number of cells to be added to the bottom cell construction, as obviously the same inventive principle will be involved in a flashlight including any number of added cells. BY

` virtue of this construction, .the voltage of the battery may be increased to any desired extent through the series connection of the individual cells, and as a result lamp bulbs of much higher design voltage may be employed.

It is further apparent that this invention utilizes the desirable features of construction disclosed in the copending application Serial No. 250,282 above referred to, and at the same time avoids the limitation of the construction there disclosed of having a limited voltage for a single cell.

It is to be understood that the above description of the forms of the invention shown in the drawing is. merely by way of illustration and is not to be construed as limiting the invention other than as required by the terms ,of the ap'- insulating said lamp holder from said can, and other means for selectively effecting contact therebetween.

3. An electric light comprising a can, a partition intermediate the height of said can, means including a central electrode constituting with said can the components of a cell located in the space below said partition, can in the space above said partition having its electrode of opposite polarity in electrical contact with said central electrode and means for insulating said second cell from said can, and a reflector and lamp holder mounted in the upper portion of said can and above said second cell.

4. An electric light comprising a can, a partition intermediate the height of said can, means including al central electrode constituting with said can the components of a cell located in the space below said partition, a second cell in said can in the space above said partition having its electrode ofv opposite polarity in electrical contact with said central electrode and means for insulating said second cell from said can, a re- Dended claims. v

What, is claimed is:

l. An' electric light comprising a cell having a can serving as one electrode thereof. 'a carbon pencil, a depolarizing mixture and an electrolyte located in said can, means .closing said cell'disposed vbelow the top edge offsaid can and proum im am etition intermediate the including a central electrode constituting with said'can theV components of a cell located inv partition, a second cell in 'Y flector and lamp holder mounted in the upper portion of said can and above said second cell.

and means for insulating the reilectorand lampv holder from said can.

5. An electric'iight comprising a can, a par height of said can, means the space below said said canin the space above said partition having its electrode of opposite polarity in electrical contact with said central electrode and means for insulating said second cell from said can,v vand a reector and lamp upper portion of said can and above said second cell, detachably connected to said can and having means for holding a lamp in electrical contact with one of the terminals ofv said second cell.

6. An electric light comprising a can, a par-l tition intermediate the height of said can, means including a central electrode constituting with said'can the'components of a cell located in the space below said partition, a second cell in said can inthe space for insulating saidsecond cell from said can. a reflector and lamp holder mounted in the upper portion of said can and above said second cell.said`reiiector and lamp holder being dea second cell in said holder mounted in the said reflector "and lamp holder being above said partition havingI its electrode of opposite polarity in electrical' contact with said central electrode and means'v for holding a lamp m electrical Contact with one of the terminals of said second cell, and

switch means for electrically connecting said can trode oi opposite polarity in electrical contact with the exposed portion of said carbon pencil and means for insulating said second cell from said can, a lamp holder carried by said can and disposed in said upper compartment, a lamp in said holder in electrical contact with one' oi the l electrodes of said second cell, and means for completing the electrical circuit between said can and said lamp.

8. An electric light 'comprising a can, a sealing partition below the upper ed-ge of said can forming upper and lower compartments therein, a core of depolarizing material and a carbon pencil disposed in said lower compartment', an electrolyte disposed therearound and forming a cell with said coreand can, the pencil of said core extending through said partition and having a portion thereof exposed in the space of' said upper compartment, a second cell mounted in said upper compartment and having its electrode of opposite polarityI in electrical contact with the exposed portion of said carbon pencil and means for insulating said second cell from said can, a reflector and lamp holding means mounted on the upper portion of said can and adapted to hold a lamp in said upper compartment in electrical contact with the pencil electrode of said second cell, and means for completing the electrical circuit for lighting said lamp.

9. An electric light comprising a can havingl a slidable metallic switch member mounted on the inside and adjacent the upper portion thereof, a sealing partition below the upper edge o! said can forming upper and lower compartments therein. a core of depolarizing material and a carbon pencil disposed in said lower compartment, an electrolyte disposed therearound and forming a cell with said core and can, the pencil of said core extending through said partition and having a portion thereof exposed in the space of said upper compartment, a second cell disposed in said'upper compartment lwith its electrode of opposite polarity in electrical contact with the exposed portion of said carbon pencil and means for insulating vsaid second cell from said can, and a reiiector andlamp holding means mounted on the upper portion oi said can and adapted to hold a lamp in said upper compartment in electrical association with the pencil electrode of said second cell, said switch member being adapted .to selectively contact said lamp holding means for making and breaky ing the electrical circuit for lighting saidlamp. 10. An electric light comprising a can having a slidable metallic switch member mounted on the inside and adjacent the upper portion thereoi', a sealing partition below the upper edgeof said can forming upper and lower compartments therein, a coreof depolarizingmaterial and a carbon pencil disposed in' said lower compartment, an electrolyte disposed therearound and forming a cell with said core and can, the pencil ot said core vextending through said partition and having a portion thereof exposed in the space of said upper compartment, a second cell disposed in said upper compartment with its velectrode of opposite polarity in electrical contact with theV exposed portion of said carbon pencil and means for insulating said second cell from said can, and a reflector and lamp holding means mounted on the upper portion of saidcan and adapted to hold alamp in said upper compartment in electrical association with the pencil electrode of 1 said second cell, said switch member being adapted to selectively contact said lamp holding means for making andbreaking the electrical circuit for lighting said lamp, said reflector 'and lamp 'holding means being readily removable' from the upper edge l of said can so that the cells may beldiscarded and replaced by a new battery assembly.

11. An electric light comprising a can. a closing partition below the fupper edge of said can forming upper and lower compartments therein, a core of depolarizing material and a carbon pencil disposed in said lower compartment, an electrolyte disposed therearound and forming a cell with said core and can, the pencil of said core extending through said partition. and having a rportion thereof exposed in the space of said upper compartment, a second cell mounted in said upper compartment, a spring establishing electrical contact between the electrode oi' said 'second cell and the exposed portion of said carbon pencil. means for insulating said second cell from said can, a lamp holder carried by said can and disposed in said upper compartment, a lamp in said holder in electrical contact with one of the electrodes of said second cell, and means for completing theelectrical circuit between said can and said lamp. f

A EDGAR J. MCEAGHRON.

EDGAR D. MCEACHRON. 

